The prognostic significance of tumor locations in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Purpose : This study aimed to examine longterm outcomes and prognostic factors, especially the prognostic significance of tumor locations, in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.
Methods : Consecutive 176 patients with pancreatic cancer, who underwent surgical resection at our hospital between January 2000 and December 2010, were retrospectively analyzed.
Results : Of the 176 eligible patients, 112 had pancreatic head cancer and 55 had pancreatic body and tail cancer. The 5-year overall survival rate was 31% and the median survival time of the patients was 26 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 24% in the pancreatic head cancer group versus 43% in the pancreatic body and tail cancer group, showing a significantly better prognosis in the latter group (p = 0.0175). Multivariate analysis identified the Japan Pancreas Society's (JPS) classification, histologic residual tumor, and adjuvant chemotherapy as significant prognostic factors. Tumor location was not a significant prognostic factor. There was a statistically significant difference in JPS classification between the two groups (p= 0.0498).
Conclusion : The longterm outcome of patients with resectable pancreatic cancer has improved. In this study, the JPS classification, residual tumor, and adjuvant chemotherapy were identified as the significant prognostic factors. In the pancreatic body and tail cancer group, early cancers outnumbered more advanced cancers that carried a significantly better prognosis for the group than the pancreatic head cancer group.